adventure and beauty

I want to live an adventurous life. Interesting that this one comment brings so many different pictures and visions to each persons mind. What is adventurous to one may be a whole new dream for someone else.

Sure, it is fun and even uplifting to think this (that you want to have an adventurous life), but why is it that I feel I have the right or ability to actually think this will happen? Is it because I have been socialized to daydream like this? Is it simply because I am an American (or as some might better understand it, "Am-ur-ican"...thank you W.)?

The ills of this world will be never be cured. The corruption and pain that plague the expanse of the earth where we are taking up residence will never be tamed by some magic, cure-all potion, that is, as long as we - the human race - try to find this "cure-all" with our own power.

Why are we taught, and even encouraged, to reach for things that seem so far out of reach? I think for some, 'reaching for your dreams' may be quite a feat, but is eventually attainable. I think for others, however, that 'reaching for your dreams' is merely a false hope that somehow motivates them to push on through this hard-knock life.

It may be that wanting to live an adventurous life is, in fact, a false hope for some, but what else do we have? Whether we like it or not, we have been created to live in this life for some reason, only God knows why. The reality is that we live in an imperfect world. Wonderful! We have now come to at least one certain statement! What, then, do we do? Do we sit and mourn over this fact or do we try to do everything we can to live inside our hope?

Since we know that this life is only temporary, why not make the most of it. Dream. Find a way to your dreams, no matter who you are. Look for joy even in the smallest triumphs. Along the way, learn to laugh. Find the beauties of life (I am not talking about the Seven Wonders of the World, but be sure not to overlook the beauty of the intricacies and simplicities of life).

I am beginning to realize that the paths I will take (and am taking) which lead me to 'my adventures' will often be unpredictable and possibly frightening, but what is a good ride without some unexpected excitement?!!

Also, as I continue to grow and mature I understand that life is not all about me - thank God! My heart beats for other people! For me, part of the adventure in life is helping others find hope, peace and joy! As I think back on my childish days (ohhhh, about four years ago), I recall that the 'adventure' I sought after was all about me and for my own satisfaction. I am so grateful that God was gracious enough to put such wonderful people in my life who have helped me deconstruct the once very small view of life that I had into a much more beautiful and fulfilling picture of life. Ron taught me to take in life and see the beauty of it at every stage of life; Mirela taught me about 'adventure'; Claire taught me about the intense form of music, and how it has the incredible power to permeate every aspect of any individual's life. I will also borrow part of a poem that Claire found from a wonderful woman, Sara Teasedale,

I will make this world of my devising

Out of a dream in my lonely mind,

I shall find the crystal of peace; and above me

Stars I shall find.

What fun is it to experience this crystal of peace by yourself, though?

I am so blessed to have many friends who have taught me so many wonderful things. My beautiful friend Sara, however, taught me about how to really appreciate the beauty of life, and to appreciate it with the uplifting company of others who can share these unique moments of life with you. She once told me something that I have heard probably a million times, but I never understood what it meant until now..."There is no one in this world who can do exactly what you have been created to do in this life."

Live your adventure. You only have one chance at life. Find the beauty in God's creation. Don't go alone. Share love and the crystal of peace with others. Learn from the 'beautiful people' that are placed in your path of life. They will contribute greatly for you to better see the phenomenal portrait of life in the most fulfilling way, and they will help you know just how to share it with others who are seeking for hope.

welcome

Well, I must admit, this is my very first time to do this...that is, I never even had a xanga!! That's right. But I guess that there is always a first time for everything. This being my first time to randomly post my thoughts, divine wisdom, frustrations about society's incompetencies (thank you Claire for your wonderful rants!), then I cannot promise to you what sort of content my blogs will contain.

If you know me, then you might expect that the coming blogs may have something to do with the mere hopelessness of the state of our world and the duty that we, capable and competent human beings, have to try to heal this world - one worthy and precious life at a time. Some of you may remember a conversation that had to do with "changing the world"...I believe that I am stating the obvious when I remind this blog-audience that Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Brad and Angelina have not and cannot exactly change this messed up world. Certainly, they are components of change that can and has occured but we still read in the news day-in and day-out of suicide bombs that have exploded in numerous parts of this globe; of corrupt leadership; of poor economies and rising gas prices; of war; drought; poverty...this dismal list could go on. I do not believe that one single human being can change this world. I do not believe that we will ever see a pure peace restored to this earth until the Kingdom of God comes to this earth. I believe that only a higher being can restore peace to this world - which is clearly outside of our hands. I believe that the one thing, the smallest thing, that we can do in our lifetime is to help heal the world.

(The above thoughts have been inspired by one internationally reknowned artist whom I have the wonderful privilege to know, Gloria Abella de Duncan, when she said, "you cannot change the world, but you can help heal it.")

Oh, and my blog title comes from the wonderful book, Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. The quote in its entirety reads,"The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof." I pray that all of you will find what you hope for and live inside that hope!

.peace.